Finding the ryokan was easy with the website given directions but having to carry the luggage through a change of JR trains and subway and stairs was tough. My friend and I stayed in a bunk bedroom with ensuite for JPY6000 per night. The building looks old, room was very small and mattress was thin. The room is suited more for a single rather than twin sharing and was so cramped that we both had to maneuver ourselves within the room with hardly enough space for both of us to sit down. The ensuite with the Japanese bathtub was also very small. We couldn't book a bigger room which only costs JPY7000 because it was fully booked during the peak period. There is a fridge for common sharing located on the 1st floor that we stayed at. Just make sure you label your name and room no. You have to do a lot of self service meaning you have to dispose your own garbage to a common garbage area which are divided into two; recyclable and non recyclable, bring the thermos flask down to the reception for hot water to be refilled and to get a change of new towels. Having said that, the ryokan handed out slips of paper upon checking in and which provided very good tips on tourist sites within and outside the Asakusa area including the transportation mode. The ryokan provides wi-fi throughout the building, is very well located within Asakusa near the Senjoji temple, Rox department store and Kappa-bashi kitchenware Street. The reception staff are helpful and one of them even helped me to carry my heavy luggage up the 1st floor. Making our way to the subway after checking out was tough as it was a distance to walk to the subway which links directly to Haneda Airport. It was value for money in a good touristy but not busy location which my Japanese friend calls it a senior citizens' area because of its slower pace. I enjoyed staying in the area but I don't think I will go back for a repeat stay in the ryokan.

It seems this place gets mixed reviews. I guess it depends on what you were expecting. We spent one night as Toukaiso and then returned for our final 5 days in Tokyo. Both times we stayed in the same room. The bed was comfy, the bath (Japanese style) and toilet was clean.

The room had a slight musty smell, but I got the feeling that the whole building was like this and it's not that uncommon in Japan.

We spent most mornings sipping tea at the little table while we sorted out our plans for the day. The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly. The only issue was during our return stay, the bedroom had a slightly eggy smell coming from the drain in the bathroom. We never got round to telling the staff because we always came back late and never had time to point it out as we were leaving.

Asakusa is a really nice area. Senso-ji temple and the area around it was really pleasant ( be sure to check out the studio ghibli shop by the entrance to the sensoji shopping street - sold much nicer gifts than the actual gift shop at the Ghibli museum). However, Asakusa is not very central and can be a bit of a pain to get back to if you stay out late - we actually found we'd missed the last train a few times and had to just go to Ueno and walk about 10-15 mins back to the hostel. However, it's such a contrast to areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku, so lets you break away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo at the end of each day.